FABIAN.
Once more, oh see her not, 'twere for thy peace!

SEV.
Thy meaning, knave, or let this babble cease!
Say, was she cold? My love! My only life!

FABIAN.
No--but--my lord----

SEV.
Say on!

FABIAN.
Another's wife!

SEV.
(Reels.)
Help!--No, I will not blench--ah, say you lie!
If this be true!--ye gods--can I be I?

FABIAN.
No, thou art changed. Where is thy courage fled?

SEV.
I know not, Fabian. Lost! Gone! Vanished! Dead!
I thought my strength was oak--'tis but a reed!
Pauline is wed, then am I lost indeed!
Hope hid beyond the cloud, yet still fond hope was there:
But now all hope is dead, lives only black despair!